Jason Kenny to continue to Tokyo 2020 with Olympic record in sight

Great Britain Cycling Team’s Jason Kenny has ended months of speculation by confirming he will return to the track at the Revolution Series in January, starting his quest to become the most successful British Olympian of all time at Tokyo 2020.

The 29-year old will compete in the final event of Revolution’s 15th season, on his home track at Manchester’s HSBC UK National Cycling Centre on January 6.

With six Olympic gold medals to his name, Kenny is level with Sir Chris Hoy on the most number of gold medals won by a Briton at the Olympics.

“Tokyo is a long way off at the moment and I’ve never really been motivated by records. I’ve just always tried to be the fastest and best I can be.

“Having said that, to win more gold medals than any other British Olympian would be an amazing achievement.

“To be honest, after Rio, I’d pretty much made my decision to walk away from cycling.

“But after taking a year out, getting married and having our first child, I felt refreshed. Before I knew it, I was training again!

“I feel like I’m 18 and starting all over again. Competing at Revolution in January will be the first step on the path to Tokyo.”

And after more than a year away from competitive racing - his last race being the keirin final at Rio 2016 - Kenny will begin his path to Tokyo in the familiar surroundings of Revolution.

Just one more gold at the 2020 Olympics would put him ahead of Hoy, while two more medals of any colour would make him Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian of all time, moving him ahead of Sir Bradley Wiggins and on to nine.

“I’m really excited about making my return to track racing at Revolution in Manchester on January 6 because it’s where I first started racing in front of crowds,” said Kenny.

“I competed at the first Revolution event, as a junior in the Future Stars, so it’s a really nice way to be coming back, especially at my home track."

The Bolton man first rode the Revolution boards in the 2003-04 season when aged just 15, and has used the experience as a springboard to global success.

Kenny’s quest for success will be supported as ever by British Cycling, and Great Britain Cycling Team performance director Stephen Park has been quick to welcome his star sprinter’s return to action.

“Jason’s career and record at Olympic Games speak for themselves, and the fact that he is now targeting a fourth Games is excellent news not just for him as an individual, but for the entire team and in particular the developing riders who can only benefit from his considerable experience over the course of this Olympic cycle,” said Park.

“As Britain’s joint most-successful Olympian, Jason clearly has a particular goal in his sights over the next three years, and this, coupled with the fantastic strength in depth of our track squad, are sure to make for an exciting few years between now and Tokyo 2020.”